NOFX’s Eric Melvin Says He ‘Never Sued’ Bandmate Fat Mike, but Did Send Letter ‘Asking for Certain Conduct to Stop’

Punk rock band NOFX is set to reunite at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, where their new documentary, “40 Years of F—-n’ Up,” will premiere. Amidst this reunion, guitarist Eric Melvin has taken the opportunity to clarify recent tensions with his bandmate, Mike “Fat Mike” Burkett, particularly following significant allegations made earlier this year.

The band, which enjoyed a remarkable 41-year run, played what they designated as their final concert in October 2024. Following this event, drummer Erik “Smelly” Sandin made claims that Melvin had severed ties with the group and had purportedly served Burkett with legal documents accusing him of financial misconduct. This revelation was made during a Punk Rock Museum roundtable event in Las Vegas, where Sandin expressed the emotional fallout among the band members following Melvin’s actions.

In an attempt to dispel these accusations, Melvin took to Instagram on March 14, asserting he had never pursued legal action against Burkett. “I never sued Fat Mike, NOFX, or served anyone in the band legal papers — not at 8 a.m., not ever,” Melvin wrote, insisting that the only correspondence he sent was a letter requesting overdue financial records. Melvin emphasised that the terminology associated with the situation, such as “thief” or “illegal,” were entirely absent from his communication, describing it only as an attempt to resolve internal matters.

Melvin expressed his deep affection for his bandmates and reiterated his pride in NOFX’s achievements throughout the years. “I am so proud of what we’ve built together over decades,” he shared. “This weekend we premiere a documentary, and while it’s rooted mostly in one person’s perspective, it’s us, for better or worse.” He encouraged fans to enjoy the film and celebrate their shared history.

Sandin’s comments had added fuel to the speculation regarding rifts within the band. He expressed his heartbreak during the panel event, revealing that Melvin’s decision to communicate solely through legal channels had strained their relationships. “Ten hours earlier, we finished playing the final show of our 42-year career. It was the most amazing and emotional send-off ever… That letter broke my heart,” he lamented.

Despite Sandin’s emotional testimony, Burkett appeared to downplay the tensions during a January interview with the Los Angeles Times. He remarked that NOFX had never experienced serious discord among its members, suggesting a unique dynamic that differed from many other bands. “It wasn’t like other bands,” he noted, indicating a degree of resilience in their long-standing partnership.

As for the documentary, “40 Years of F—-n’ Up,” its upcoming premiere promises an engaging look at the band’s journey. Set to grace theatres soon, the film aims to narrate how NOFX, despite never signing with a major label, became one of the most successful independent bands in music history. The documentary depicts a raucous tale, presented as a mix of real-life incidents and punk rock humour—a nod to mockumentaries like “This Is Spinal Tap.”

The film chronicles the band’s origins, starting with their debut album, “Liberal Animation,” released in 1988, and follows their evolution up until their final studio album, “Double Album,” which was launched in 2022. Describing the documentary, a press release states, “This is the unbelievable story about how a group of untalented drug-addled teenage punks somehow became the most successful independent band in history.”

As the band prepares for their SXSW appearance, fans are eager to witness both the documentary and the potential reconciliation of its members. With emotions running high and significant history behind them, it remains to be seen how the narrative will unfold during this much-anticipated reunion. As Melvin closes his message, the hope for shared joy and camaraderie among bandmates and fans alike lingers: “Let’s shut down the rumour mill, enjoy Fat Mike’s NOFX documentary, and party like it’s 1991.”